Considering a water birth - any experiences/advice?

Crispy_Ambulance

I have had one birth on dry land and one waterbirth. Having had a waterbirth, I would choose that option everytime.

Being in the pool allows you to move so much more easily and the warm water gives you a safe space in which to relax which encourages the hormones to do their stuff. Plus it is such a nice way for the baby to enter the world, so much gentler.

You should get some helpful info here

Homebirth website

Justie

Mummy Jo how did you learn the hypnosis?

Bun

Hello,

I had a hospital waterbirth for part of my labour. I was not able to try it at first as there was not enough hot water. I was trying different positions, birthing ball, on all fours etc and had decided not to bother when I was advised that as the contractions had twisted the baby round so he was back to back, they would like me to try the pool. Apparently it is very good for reducing the gravity somewhat and the baby can turn. Personally I found the water lovely, but it slowed my contractions down completely and I couldn't get any purchase to push on the floor of the bath, so was just hanging off the side. I was really quite disappointed. If there is a next time I would have to say that I would just use my tens earlier, and move about, and not bother with the bath. Saying that I have several friends who had great water births, and if it is a home bath you could maybe put a bathmat on the bottom to help with grip? Good luck!

Snaggles

Pink_butterfly wrote:

As i started pushing i yelled at my husband to take it off (he was asleep on a chair, its very tiring for men you understand)

Hahaha, that made me laugh out loud, literally. My hubby was the same - I was in labour 9 hours, finally gave birth, and hubby announced after a few minutes that he was off home for a sleep as he had been up all night!! :eek:

I've never let him forget it!

Now 30 weeks pregnant with my second though, and pretty much expecting it to happen again. :rolleyes:

I would love a water birth but I had to be induced last time, and I don't think they let you have one if you're induced - not sure though.

dollop

hi i dont know much about water birth but i have decided i am having a home birth this time although im in for a battle i fink with head midwife as i had a very heavy bleed after my third child,she put it down to a dry birth but talking to another midwife in another area told me it was more of a hemorageand ishould have been put on a drip and given a blood transfusion as well.but as a midwife said to me theres something they can inject intoyou straight away to stop the bleeding so thats re assured me,and im quite looking forward to it,i dunno why so many people get put off by home births really,when u think about it years ago woman used to do it all the time at home,and medicenes are far more advanced these days,ambulance services are quicker too,whatever u do good luck.xxx

sahmx5

I've had 2 children in hospital - they were very fussy. With the first as my waters had broken I wasn't allowed to use the birthing pool. With the 2nd I was induced so wasn't allowed to use the birthing pool as it would interfer with monitoring. Altogether they were both quite nasty experiences.

Since then I've had 3 children at home. 1st one I spent the last 90 minutes of labour in the bath and got out to deliver. It definitely intensified the contractions but didn't make then hurt anyway near as much as the labours I experience in hospital. Could have staying in the bath to beliver but didn't want to.

2nd and 3rd one I had bought an inflatable birthpool. Both times I didn't have time to fill it up before baby was born. I thought the pain would be bad again because of the lack of water but it was bearable.

Tens is excellent for pain relief. If you have a homebirth make sure your midwife brings the Entonox (gas and air) equipment.

You can also ask your doctor for a prescription for Pethidine which you keep in your fridge. The midwife can then use it if you want it.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

WannabeMortgageFree_2

You'll love a water birth! So rewarding and so lovely to be the only one to touch your baby for the first time! I actually delivered my last baby, myself in my birth pool! The midwives just left me to it and we're so close to each other now.

I used a Made In Water birth pool. Had great handles, was really sturdy, came in a great carry case, was very easy to put up and fill and only cost me £30 brand new on Ebay!!!!!

My 5th baby is due in August and I will be doing another home water birth!

mustafa_say_ving

I really wanted a waterbirth, unfortunately this was not to be, as both my babies were in distress during labour( 30 hours with one ......even more with the 2nd). Both of mine ended up being ventouse ( both had the cord wrapped around their necks and had to be rescusitated, very scary,however my midwife had warned me this may happen as I'm small framed)

If the option's there to have a waterbirth at home, definately go for it as long as your Midwife's happy for you to .

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

BusyLizzie_3

I would have loved to have tried a waterbirth too, but my twins were born by C-section (both breech) and with my singleton my waters broke before I was in established labour, and the hospital were concerned about the risk of infection.

But - a friend of mine bought a birth pool from this place:

https://www.birthpoolinabox.co.uk

which she said was great, and she used it for a long time afterwards as a ball pool and a paddling pool for her children!

jolenejolene

Hi,

I planned a waterbirth with my second. Not at home, at a midwifery unit nearby. Fantastic place - no doctors, midwives only - I can't praise them enough! I got in the pool but it slowed down my contractions so much! Also I developed this sideways swaying thing to help with contractions :rotfl: which didn't really work in the pool!! DH ended up getting splashed, which he took with good grace the first twenty times....... I just got fed up in there. I asked the midwife to check me and then decided to stay out and give birth on dry land. As soon as I got out the contractions started again and my lovely bab was born soon after! In my mind I had planned a waterbirth, but it didn't end up like that. Good luck - just take it as it comes!